FAIRBORN — If the number of cars registered at a car show, the number of spectators in attendance and the quality of cars being shown determine the success of a car show then last Saturday’s popular “White Trash & White Walls” hit a grand slam.

The hot rods, rat rod rods, classic cars, and vintage trucks were everywhere but what really stood out was the great number of muscle cars on display with one in particular stealing the show — a 1968 Dodge Roadrunner. This muscle car had spectacular looks but what was even more compelling was the story behind the car.

“After my dad graduated from high school in the late 1960s he bought a brand new 1968 Dodge Roadrunner and was off to college at the University of Louisville,” said Jeremy Burnett. “He loved that Roadrunner and it was his college commuter car for four years to and from the university and back home here in Ohio. Then, after he finished college he married my mom and the car went away.”

Burnett added that his dad wanted another 1968 Roadrunner.

“He really loved that ‘68 Roadrunner and had great memories from it,” Burnett said. “So, I started looking really hard for one, and eventually found one in Georgia. This was about 20 years ago and both of us drove down to Georgia and bought it. It soon became our father and son restoration project. My dad, Dale Burnett, is now 72.”

It took about five years to finish.

“After we bought the ‘68 Roadrunner in 2003 in Georgia, my mom became very ill shortly thereafter, so we put the restoration on hold,” Burnett said. “Then later, I sold my Chevelle, big block, for some extra restoration funds and we got started on this project. When we bought the car it was pretty much a basket case. Now it’s got all new floors, quarters, sail panel, new trunk floor, and all brand new sheet metal. Burton’s Kreative Motorworks is the one that did all the bodywork and paint work.”

This stunning Roadrunner has a 383 bored .40 over holly Terminator, American Racing headers for magna flow exhaust, a Tremac 5 speed, Wilwood brakes, 20s in rear, 18s in front and a suspension with Magnum force K and the up fronts are coil overs.

Burnett debuted the Roadrunner in 2015 in Detroit.

“When it was fully done we took it to the Detroit Autorama, and we got first place in the 68, 69 hardtop class, And in 2022 we got first place in the B-Body at the Mopar Nationals in Columbus Ohio,” he said.

Burnett has also showcased the car at many local and regional car shows over the years.

Ron Brohm is an outdoors, tourism, automotive and aviation journalist and author.